3 Ways to Play a Surge in Palladium Prices

ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (PALL)

If you’re bullish that the higher demand and geopolitical headwinds will drive palladium prices higher, the most direct play is with an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the physical metal, rather than investing in stocks of mining or other precious metal producing companies. ETFs provide several key advantages: They permit diversification within a sector, tend to have low expenses, and they trade over an exchange like a stock, rather than at the end of the day like mutual funds.

ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (PALL) invests in physical palladium bullion and tracks the metal’s price on the spot market; it was launched in January 2010. With about $500 million in assets, PALL is trading at $79 — and the fund has gained 11% so far this year. The expense ratio is 0.6.